* (3:25) A big thanks to Wizards of the Coast columnist, Tracy Hurley, for mentioning us in an article on Gamer Resolutions!

* (4:56) At Fear the Con V, Chris Ings will be running a Bloodname tournament for the surname, Badass.

* (8:22) Announcing the contestants for the Power 16 III!  Voting will start in a few weeks.

* (14:05) Introducing an online game the hosts will be playing using Pathfinder rules and the Forgotten Realms setting.  We’ll be using this to help us understand each other’s game styles and (more importantly) try to apply our own ideas to build and maintain a game.  Whether this succeeds or fails, we hope it will serve as a great object lesson.

* (18:26) To start things off, Johann asks some questions about the intended level curve of the game, which leads Dan to ask why that’s important to his character.

* (34:28) Bringing together the cultures of different gaming groups and merging them into a new, mutually enjoyable culture.

* (37:10) An invitation to the audience to not only observe but also participate in our little experiment.

* (38:46) Lacking the time to develop our next topic, we spin down the episode.  However, we kept recording, so Chad’s question gets a thorough exploration in the episode coming next week!

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (1:36) Wayne will be posting his first game for Fear the Con V this Friday.  If you’re interested in passing out flyers or hanging them up in your local game store, you can download them here.

* (6:21) Our Old Republic guild, House Nachash, is still going strong.  You can find details on our forum.

* (7:33) Poop sock?

* (10:11) Pat and his peach cider.

* (12:28) Resuming an RPG campaign after a long break.  Using the break as an opportunity for taking stock of what’s working, revising where needed.  Easing back in.  Keeping the game alive through outside conversation, or at least keeping the group in contact through a filler game.  The pitfalls when coming back, including social distractions and forgetting what was going on.

* (36:09) How to get the most out of different GMing styles.  Appreciating the distinctions and adapting your play-style to get the most from your Game Master.  Evaluating your GM style.  How to get the most honest feedback from your players.

Hosts: Chris, John, Karla, Pat, Wayne

* (1:17) Introducing our new game, Naughty or Nice to Chris.  We setup the background topic, explain the rules, and have an tangent on “sentient” versus “sapient”.

* (7:42) Chris restarts the episode.  I’m not sure why, but he’s in control.

* (9:12) We discuss player contribution to the game.  To what extent should players be allowed to add things to the game — even if they seem out of place — for the sake of their own enjoyment?  We start by jumping back to the contributions that break immersion for each of us.  The show goes completely off the ranch from there, and I don’t think we ever answered the original question.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Johann, Pat, Wayne

* (4:44) Handling the logistics of a PC death.  We don’t debate whether characters ought to die but instead how to keep that person involved, manage the mood around the table, and minimize story disruption.

* (22:14) Taking advantage of the unexpected moments of great story and RP that happen during a game, without trying to squeeze them for too much.

* (28:45) Chad and modules.  Nature takes its course.

* (39:30) Managing player morale during the ebb and flow of a game.

* (45:34) The greatest game you’ve never played: Hot Lead!

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Johann, Pat, Wayne

* (3:52) Dan offers Chris some unsolicited PR advice.

* (5:10) Following a suggestion from forum user, Concise Locket, we discuss going outside of the game-provided mechanics to resolve actions within a game.  How other metaphors can enhance or distract from the game, and some tips for making them blend.

* (21:57) Giving life and meaning to social events — such as parties or banquets — in an RPG.  Revealing scene, making memorable NPCs, and progressing plot through the event.  The difference between social events triggered by player action versus GM decree.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, John, Pat, Wayne

(Wayne’s future sorcerer: STR 16, DEX 10, CON 13, INT 11, WIS 13, CHA 15)

* (1:10) Fear the Con 5 registration is still up and running quite nicely.

* (1:32) An invitation to our Old Republic guild.

* (2:18) Method 0.5 character creation meets John’s bard.

* (4:02) Pat goes for Husband of the Year with his (properly placed) priorities regarding Star Wars: The Old Republic.  Also featuring the car story and fish story!

* (15:37) Gaming with significant others.  How bringing that special someone into a game can greatly benefit or drag down the experience.  We also present some strategies for getting the most out of it while preparing for potential pitfalls.  This leads into the romance and drama of Battletech.

Hosts: Beth, Dan, John, Karla

(John’s future bard: STR 11, DEX 10, CON 15, INT 13, WIS 10, CHA 9)

* (1:39) Chad and Pat’s horrifying idea for episode 300.

* (7:04) Yet  again, a “minor” topic unexpectedly dominates the show!  Wayne’s opportunity to defend his bard against the insults made in last episode turns into…

* (13:57) …a discussion on knowledge skills that reveal hidden or plot-important information.  We kick around whether to include them at all, how to let them be useful without breaking the game, and the open communication the GM and player ought to have during character creation.

* (38:43) The happy accidents of gaming, when unexpected actions of the player or rolls of the dice make the game better than the GM planned.  How to create room for such events and capitalize on them when they occur.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (3:12) Chris is writing Skies of Glass serial fiction.

* (4:37) We give Pat a chance to prep for Beth coming onto Fear the Boot.

* (6:23) John gives an update on Bloodmoon Goblins.  This leads to a discussion about collaborating with other people during system or setting design, and how that can apply even to Game Masters running a well-established game.

* (13:47) Handling shopping in an RPG.  Various approaches to handling it without interrupting the flow of the game.  How to handle shopkeeper inventory, character inventory, and item availability.  Information on the Booter calls Chad mentioned can be found here.

* (45:52) Why Chad feels his character won’t work in the absurd game we’re contemplating.

Hosts: Chad, Dan, John, Pat

* (1:27) Fear the Boot is co-sponsoring a cruise through Gamer Adventures on March 24 through April 1, 2012, and we hope you’ll join us.

* (2:51) How to approach bridge games, meaning the games that fall between major plot points or heavy action, in which character advancement, bookkeeping, or roleplaying dominate the session.  Some approaches for tuning them to your group’s taste and recognizing the opportunities they present.

* (18:43) Handling large scale games.  Determining what’s important to deal with in detail versus abstracting out, how to keep track of resources, divvy up paperwork, and make major NPCs memorable.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, John, Wayne

* (0:59) An extremely deep, philosophical, scholarly debate over the hottest chick on Star Trek.

* (13:07) Using Wheel of Time and Lord of the Rings as a jumping off point for a discussion on “upward” versus “downward” fantasy and which trope more accurately describes the average fantasy campaign.  Side topics include high and low fantasy, the role of equipment, and the absurdity of most settings’ economies.

* (26:12) A reflection on the ridiculousness of ‘Mechs as viable combat machines juxtaposed against how just plain awesome they are to use in a game.

* (30:32) Dealing with “caster supremacy”.  Specifically, the idea that certain types of casters are significantly more powerful than non-casting classes in D&D 3.0, D&D 3.5, and Pathfinder.  Suggestions for keeping them in balance through gentleman’s rules, power reductions to casters, or power increases to non-casters.

* (59:36) The website for Fear the Con 5 is up and ready for you to create and join games!  If you’re looking to split a ride or room, be sure to check the thread on our forums where people are working out those arrangements.

Hosts: Johann, John, Pat, Wayne

* (2:09) The website for Fear the Con 5 is up and ready for you to start creating and joining games!  If you’re looking to split a ride or room, be sure to check the thread on our forums where people are working out those arrangements.

* (7:44) Zingers.  What more can be said?  They also talk about Halloween candy, costumes, and trick-or-treating.

* (23:04) Advice for GMs that need to run rude, hateful, or bigoted NPCs.  How to keep such characters believable without crossing any lines your group can’t stomach.

* (38:47) Adding detail to the smaller parts of the game which often get ignored as the group focuses on the big picture.  In case you’re not familiar with it, here’s an explanation of Chekhov’s Gun.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, John, Pat

* (0:30) Welcoming Adam from Kicked in the Dicebags.

* (1:40) The March of Dimes charity auction — with prizes sponsored by Gnome Stew — is still in progress.  Be sure to get in your bids!

* (2:03) Show transcripts are still being made for our episodes.  Links will be given a few days after each episode releases.

* (2:21) The site for Fear the Con 5 is live!  Get signed up and join us in St. Louis in May of 2012!

* (5:28) Custom fangs have become too cheap for Wayne’s taste.

* (7:09) The loss of a dropship in our Battletech game serves as the catalyst for a discussion on defeat in a roleplaying game.  We talk about its capacity for adding drama, realism, and emotion to the game, while conversely being able to discourage or drain the players.

* (20:00) Wayne commenting on some old gaming notes leads into Dan describing the collection of documents he typically uses when running a game.  With our usual disclaimer for potentially offensive content, here is a link to the pimp’s prayer.

* (26:20) Getting a brand new player up to speed on the hobby of roleplaying, their first setting, and a system — without overwhelming them in the process.

* (52:16) The video game giveaway will be ending on October 23rd with the winners drawn on October 24th, so this is your last chance to get entered.

Hosts: Adam, Chad, Dan, John, Pat, Wayne

* (0:30) Happy birthday to Chris!

* (1:38) John announces the closing of Bloodmoon Goblins’ fundraiser and explains where things are headed next.

* (2:21) Quick updates on GAME convention and Fear the Con 5.

* (2:39) FlatCon is coming up on October 21-23, 2011 in Bloomington, IL.  All proceeds from the convention are donated to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

* (3:15) Fear the Boot is giving away some free games, thanks to Tex!  If you’d like to enter for any of the titles mentioned, you can do so here.

* (7:31) The process of picking a system and setting when your group is starting a new campaign.  How to balance everyone’s interests.  Whether the GM should be able to make a take-it-or-leave-it pitch.

* (31:14) Collaboration in an established setting.  How to get the players involved and help them feel like they own a part of the game world without contradicting what’s in the books.

* (38:08) Revisiting the group template with some new and changed perspectives.  Explaining what it is, why it’s important, and how to build one.

Hosts: Dan, John, Pat, Wayne

* (2:05) Fear the Boot still plans on attending the GAME Convention in Springfield, Missouri, October 7 – 9, 2011.

* (2:42) If you’re interested in playing the Old Republic MMO, Fear the Boot has a guild already forming on the official game site.  You can see details and sign up to run with us here!

* (5:00) Why every roleplaying game should come with a pronunciation guide for all of its proper nouns.

* (10:42) Getting people in your gaming group to step up and take leadership roles in the party, particularly when they’re not naturally dominating.  The distinction between explicit and implicit leaders and how to work with both.

* (24:49) Chris reflects on his rant from the last episode and goes on to tell us a story about his childhood.

* (26:47) Rewarding players for doing extra prep or post-game work.

* (37:06) Helping someone create a character for a setting they’ve never played in.

Hosts: Chris, Dan, John, Pat, Wayne

* (3:22) Pat has a gift for Wayne’s birthday.  This leads to a conversation about comic collections, older comic storylines, and related tangents.

* (7:41) John’s Bloodmoon Goblins Kickstarter is still going strong and accepting donations, pre-orders, and other reward purchases!

* (8:35) With Wayne’s story concluded, Chris has launched a new series of serial fiction on the Skies of Glass website.

* (10:28) Revisiting invasion stories to pick up some discussion threads we either missed or didn’t explore sufficiently in the prior show.  We start off with invaders that lack depth because they’re more like a force of nature than a hostile culture.

* (14:34) When the invasion is a backdrop as opposed to the central plot.  The relationship between setting and story, and the inevitable bleed between the two.

* (17:09) Playing as the invader instead of the invaded.  Determining whether the characters agree with the invasion or oppose it, and keeping the game going either way.

* (33:27) Narrating the invasion event.  Working out the pacing in a way that makes sense for your campaign.  Educating your players about the two sides, particularly when the game is not based on a well-known setting or historical event.

Hosts: Chris, Dan, Johann, Pat, Wayne

* (7:28) If you’re playing Champions Online, consider joining the Fear the Boot guild, Awkward Confessors.  You can find out more on the forums.  My essay on MMOs can be found here.

* (11:17) Dan delivers a rant entitled, “Dammit, put that game down!”

* (16:57) Be sure to visit John’s Bloodmoon Goblins site, watch the promo video, and consider making a donation toward the effort.

* (17:51) Running a game where invasion is the primary plot line or setting feature.  Creating stories that are believable, yet still offer compelling opportunities for player success.  Starting the invasion, defining the invaders, and setting goals for the protagonists.  Drawing from real world history for inspiration.  Handling the pacing issues that can be caused by a resistance that builds momentum over a long period of time.

Hosts: Chris, Dan, Karla, Wayne

* (4:48) Integrating a comedic character in a serious campaign, without that character disrupting the flow and feel of the game.  The actual play Wayne’s involved in is Knights of Reignsborough.

* (17:59) Kyle sends in a question related to the series we did on dungeon design (here’s part 1 and part 2, for those of you that missed them), asking how to take a dungeon you’ve already designed and bring it to life.  How do you make the place feel exciting and interesting as you describe the trek through countless rooms and corridors?

* (58:29) Be sure to keep up with This Just In…From Gen Con! for convention coverage and at least one episode that will feature Fear the Boot.

Hosts: Dan, Johann, Mikey, Pat, Wayne

* (3:03) Do geeks have an unusual habit of raging against the things they love the most, simply out of perfectionist zeal?

* (14:11) Being involved in multiple campaigns at once.  How to keep your characters and plots separate.  How similarities between the two campaigns can both help and hurt.

* (40:52) Some updates on Fear the Con 5.  It will occur in early May instead of March.  We’ll be moving to more conveniently located facilities.  And we’re also happy to welcome Danger Brewery as our new beer providers!

Hosts: Chad, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (11:43) The guests pay more attention to the outline than the regular hosts do.

* (12:53) Art, layout, and page design.  How they help sell your product.  Some legal considerations you need to work out with an artist so it’s clear who owns what.  The best ways to compensate your artists, particularly when you’re on a tight budget.

* (24:45) Funding the project.  Using your own money, the patronage model, or websites such as Kickstarter.  How to get other people involved in supporting your work and rewarding them for their investment.  Building a budget for your product.

* (35:22) Marketing your game.  How to build it into the product right from the get-go.  Building and utilizing a fan base to help evangelize.  Keeping people excited and rewarding them for their effort.

* (53:34) Options for getting published, whether electronically or in print.

* (57:36) A final thanks to Ed and Derek.  You can hear more of Ed on Atomic Array or War Pig Radio.  You can hear more of Derek on his podcast, The Established Facts (referred to as Casting Robot during the show).  And be sure to take a look at the Palegain setting and consider helping out his Kickstarter project!

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Derek, Ed, Pat, Wayne

* (2:52) Chris gives a shoutout to his nephew who’s landed the leading role in Highlander: The Musical.  If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out their website.  The reason Split Second needs a musical (some NSFW language).

* (9:26) With Gen Con coming up soon, don’t forget to subscribe to This Just In…From Gen Con! for some great media coverage.  And if you’ll be in attendance, be sure to get signed up for the TOFTBCH network and join us throughout the con for meals and pick-up games.

* (10:15) The writing process.  Translating your ideas and notes into a usable, well-organized document that’s fit for publication.  Finding good editors — including those that have experience in the RPG industry — and building a community of people that can help you.

* (28:00) The importance of playtesting to shake out the problems in your game.  Also, the importance of getting playtesters outside of your usual circle of friends, and ways to find strangers that will test the game.

* (34:11) Getting proper licensing to use established systems or settings.

* (38:33) Additional legal concerns, including forming a company, figuring out your taxes, and protecting your work by copyright.  The government website I recommended can be found here.

* (49:48) Some final words of warning and encouragement before we close out part 1 of this series.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Derek, Ed, Pat, Wayne

* (1:06) Fear the Boot will be sponsoring This Just In…From Gen Con! during the 2011 convention.  Be sure to catch that show for some excellent convention coverage.

* (1:30) The Con Planner site is now ready to go for our activities at Gen Con.  Be sure to sign up if you want to be kept in the loop on the games and social activities we’ll be doing during the con.  All you need to do is visit this link, go to the Ticketing area to create an attendee, and make sure your profile includes a cell phone number for texting purposes.  If you have any questions, write to the email address listed on the site.

* (2:00) Fear the Boot is now a proud member of the Stitcher audio network.  Be sure to stop by their site, see if their app is something that interests you, and give us a positive review so others can find us!

* (3:52) Some background on Michael and the tabletop gaming scene in Japan.

* (6:36) The double-edged sword of D&D as the most recognizable title in our hobby.  Many of us play it and enjoy it, but it can also conjure up negative stereotypes among non-gamers, leading us to distance ourselves from the game.

* (22:03) Collaborative design of a roleplaying game’s antagonists.  Letting the players work together to build the villains, trading off some level of control for added buy-in.  How to keep the plot exciting despite the meta-game, player knowledge of the group’s enemies.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Michael, Pat, Wayne

* (5:27) Fear the Boot will be at Gen Con 2011 with more events organized through our illustrious TOFTBCH network.  Expect details to follow in the next episode!  We’re also sponsoring This Just In…From Gen Con! which will be providing onsite coverage throughout the con.

* (9:07) Dan versus restaurant birthday celebrations.

* (20:07) Taking over a roleplaying game when the original Game Master steps down or leaves the group.  Some techniques for making the transition work, and the adjusted expectations players need to have when someone else is running a pre-existing game.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (3:00) The upcoming reset and renumbering of DC comics.  Why we individually think it’s a good idea, bad idea, or mixed bag.

* (14:10) Rewarding the player characters in your RPG. We start by exploring the various ways of rewarding them such as roleplaying opportunities, personal goals, micro perks, gear, and stat advancement.

* (32:46) An intermission where we ponder why GMs don’t get rewards.

* (39:56) The best practices for handing out PC rewards, keeping them fair, and keeping them from later coming back to bite you in the butt.

Hosts: Chad, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (2:49) Dan’s first awkward confession, plus Unicron, Arcee, and a seven-inch Voltron.

* (6:51) Pat rages against 3D movies, and the rest of us pretty much agree.

* (12:51) After a brilliant segue, Pat gives his take on the movie incarnations of Mystique.

* (16:47) Gaming as your family expands.  Not gaming with children (as we discussed in episode 207), but rather gaming when children or spouses are around, require regular attention, and so forth.  We look at how we’ve managed to make gaming work as our lives mature by tweaking our expectations and game execution.

Hosts: Dan, Karla, Pat, Wayne

* (5:24) The start of the next March of Dimes charity auction.  You have 10 days to bid on a complete Dresden Files set with a GM book, several player books, and plenty of Fudge dice.  The books will all be signed by Fred Hicks, Rob Donoghue, and the Fear the Boot hosts.  If you wish to make a donation apart from the auction, you can do so here.

* (8:08) Themes we’d like to see more often — or never again — in roleplaying games.  Topics discussed include romance, evil, mercenaries, redemption, addiction, friendship, moral complexity, tragic endings, ambiguous endings, discovery, world context, and the single-dimension quest.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (5:10) Free RPG Day is coming up on June 18th.  Chris offers a bring-a-friend idea to help use this day to get new people into the hobby instead of just spreading products around people that already play RPGs.

* (11:26) A stage play within a game got us thinking a little more about narrative combat.

* (25:46) Willingly declaring failure during the course of narration, whether as the GM or a player.  The concern about negatively impacting the rest of the party.

* (33:37) A quick look at organized play.  What you can expect to get from it, and some tips on getting started.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (1:35) Using narration instead of rules to resolve combat.  Being fair without dice to serve as an arbiter.  How to make it work without the players feeling cheated by the outcome.

* (39:01) Dealing with players that have the unusual, singular obsession of seeing their characters destroyed.

Hosts: Chad, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (4:18) Kicking off the March of Dimes charity auction with a chance to set the topic, request an interview, and guest on an episode of Fear the Boot.  You can find the auction here!  If you’d like to make a direct donation instead of participating in the auction, you can do so here.

* (5:55) The next Gamer Adventure cruise is coming up on March 24, 2012.  We’d love to have some of you join us!  You can find more information here.  And if you think you can’t afford this trip, please contact Kim and see if she can use her travel agent prowess to help you out.

* (8:29) Chad takes us back to the D&D hotline.

* (10:04) Why won’t our campaign roll over and die like every other campaign we play?  Using our current game as a case study on why campaigns tend to fall apart and the various factors that can keep them together.

* (32:31) We pick up our conversation on lying again.  This time we focus on player-to-player lying, including whether social skills should be usable on fellow players.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Johann, Pat, Wayne

* (5:50) When a game, movie, novel, or TV show is taking a long time to get good, how long do you stick with it before giving up?

* (22:24) Deception at the gaming table.  We setup the topic, offer three categories of lying we’ll cover, and put a few boundaries on the discussion.

* (23:56) Game Masters lying to their players.  The complication caused by the many roles the Game Master fills.  The responsibility players have to not ask certain questions to avoid spoiling their own game experience.  The relationship between social deception done via roleplaying versus die mechanics.

* (45:50) The player lying to the Game Master as the Game Master, as opposed to a PC lying to an NPC simply played by the Game Master.

* (50:09) Last call for the charity auction!  Post your ideas on the blog or forum thread.

* (50:16) Also, a last call for Mikey Mason’s kickstarter project.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Johann, Pat, Wayne

* (1:23) Mikey Mason needs your help to get his geek comedy album finished.  You can make a donation and collect a bounty of prizes from his Kickstarter site.  Just be sure to do so before May 5th!

* (4:13) Wayne’s impulse to create characters predictably transforms into him writing plots that may never even be run.

* (6:59) The Play Generated Map and Document Archive which allows Game Masters to share their maps, notes, and other game documents.  The mix of inspiration and reassurance the site provides.  And, of course, George the dolphin.

* (20:09) What Game Masters do with their old campaign notes.

* (31:05) Moving from a non-gamer to a gamer.  How to get a group to incorporate you into their game or consider your game ideas.  The forum thread by Kali can be found here.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (1:19) A coupon code good for 15% off any Arc Dream product purchased through their online store.  This code is good until May 1st.  Simply enter “feartheboot” (without any quotes) to get your discount!

* (3:08) Wayne encounters the irresistible urge to create characters.

* (20:07) Chad admits he was wrong and Wayne makes a sensible confession.  May wonders never cease.

* (25:18) Homebrewing games.  Not how to design your own games, but what motivates people to do it in an age when so many games are readily available.  The various approaches to homebrewing and the strengths and weaknesses of each.  When to homebrew versus heavily modifying an existing game.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (2:41) Some love for the many podcasts that came out to support Fear the Con through promotion, attendance, and on-site coverage!  Be sure to check their feeds for actual play recordings and other goodies.

Dice + Food + Lodging
Gaming Asylum
Ideology of Madness
Kicked in the Dicebags
Postcards from the Dungeon
Role Playing Public Radio
The Big Hairy Podcast
Thistledown Actual Play

* (4:33) The number of first time con-goers and first time gamers we met at Fear the Con 4.

* (6:32) The rediscovery of a long-lost fixture of the recording studio.  Pat promptly takes them from Chad to show him how it’s done.

* (7:28) Chad wrote and released rules for a game inspired by the movie, Inception, and the RPG, Dread.  You can find the rules on our blog. We talk about how the game plays and how it incorporates leading questionnaires in character creation.  Those same questionnaires are also used to build the game’s plot.

* (16:06) Using leading questionnaires in a role playing game.  How they can help build characters or steer the game in directions the GM would like it to go.  Why such exercises are easier for some players than others, simply based on whether they plan or “feel out” their characters.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (2:28) Welcoming the podcasts that joined us for the live recording: Kicked in the Dicebags, Role Playing Public Radio, Postcards from the Dungeon, Gaming Asylum, and Good Beer Show.

* (3:58) Introducing Bob Arens, our expert on artificial intelligence.  An AI he created was responsible for writing or helping write games for at least three people.  Bob explains the basics of how the AI works and how it helps in scene design.

* (11:23) Open discussion with the attendees about the morality and usefulness of artificial intelligence, where the technology is right now, where it’s headed in the future, and what it can (or can’t) contribute to the creative arts.  We also discuss how one defines true personhood.

* (41:27) Arlie and Tricia — with the help of many other attendees — present Dan with a map of Fear the Con 4.

* (47:41) We close out with a few more comments on artificial intelligence, focusing on their lack of a shared human experience.  A few remarks are made about Fear the Boot itself, and finally we find out what the AI itself has to say about becoming our overlord.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, John, Pat, Wayne, and a whole lot of booters

NOTE: There were other podcasts on premises, some of which were recording episodes at the same time as ours.  Once I have all of that info in, I’ll be giving links to their FtC4 related coverage, actual play recordings, etc, for your entertainment.  Expect that with episode 227.

* (3:28) Chad clarifies his views on character death.  This was recorded before the previous episode dropped, so this clarification is only in light of what he said on the show, not any discussion that occurred thereafter.

* (9:11) We discuss the pros and cons of non-linear games — specifically games that don’t follow a simple, chronological progression.  Instead such games might skip around in time, going backward and forward at varying speeds, or cover different epochs within the same continuity.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (8:48) A listener email announces the birth of a daughter, conceived and born to our show, and we just go further off the ranch from there.

* (14:10) Character death.  We try to bring together our past views, current views, and comments made by forum users as we explore the subject.  We debate when it’s right, whether it’s needed at all, and what a game might suffer if it’s missing.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, John, Pat

* (3:06) A minor change to the forum rules.  Starting soon, any account that has never made a single post and also not logged in within the past 60 days will be pruned.  If you do at least one of those two things, your account won’t be touched.

* (4:10) Wayne expresses his displeasure regarding the absurdities surrounding the Fantastic Four death.  We also take a quick poll on which character we would have killed.

* (10:30) We ask Wayne why he thinks the comic book industry is in decline.  We also inquire about what’s good right now and what’s on his pull list.  The new Wonder Woman actress.  And finally, the move by some comic companies to make their catalog available electronically.

* (17:24) The pure genius of Time Cube.  And apparently it has an RPG or two to go with it now.

* (20:23) Mary Sue characters.  We start with an explanation of what the phrase means and where it comes from.  Johann questions whether they’re genuinely a problem or not, after which we offer some advice on how to identify them, prevent them from occurring, and deal with them once they’re there.

Hosts: Dan, Johann, Pat, Wayne

* (6:49) Raina’s Wings charity auction. Post your ideas here or on the forums.

* (11:01) We begin talking about board games, starting with the divergence of RPG and board game culture.

* (24:22) Some advice to people trying a board game for the first time, and also some advice to the experienced players introducing newbies to a game.

* (27:10) Picking the right product to buy.  Finding out what game titles are available, understanding the nomenclature used to describe them, and using a variety of resources to help in your decision-making process.

* (47:52) We suggest a few of our favorite games, and Jeff tries to match at least one title to each of our tastes.

Hosts: Chad, Dan, Jeff, Pat, Wayne

NOTE: You can find the list of resources and game titles we mentioned in this blog post.

* (1:45) Chris wishes a happy birthday to…St. Louis…?  And Wayne celebrates with a surprise gift for Dan.

* (3:25) Dan gets shutdown by being recognized too quickly.

* (4:56) Realizing we do a show, we stop to introduce our guest host, Jeff.  He’ll be joining us for two episodes.  If you enjoy hearing him on Fear the Boot, he’s also a host of his own podcast, Gaming Asylum, which you can find on iTunes or at their site.

* (6:18) Fear the Con 4 attendance is going wonderfully, which means we could use more GMs!  Also, there are folks looking to split the cost of attendance by carpooling and room-sharing.

* (7:56) Following up on how advice provided by the community helped us resolve the “tainted character” situation brought up in episode 217.  A big thanks to everyone that gave us such great insight!

* (13:33) What starts as a quick recap on our attempts to bring players-as-NPCs into our weekly game grows into a larger debate with new thoughts.  Topics include why Chris wouldn’t generally want it done in his games, “making” versus “taking” NPCs, letting players control enemies, and the joys of character growth.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Jeff, Pat, Wayne

* (3:07) RPG tropes we individually find annoying or overused.  Plus counterpoints on why each one may not be so bad.

* (27:59) Jumping into an NPC as a way of staying involved and adding color to a scene.  We focus on the implicit player-GM contract, when it’s appropriate (or not), what it can add to the game, and how much plot leverage you should grant yourself while doing it.

Hosts: Chad, Dan, Johann, Pat, Wayne

NOTE: If you hear some clicking during a couple minutes in the middle of the show, that was an issue with our audio setup.  Nothing is wrong with your download or MP3 player, and it ends a few minutes after it starts.

* (6:44) Fear the Froot is back for Fear the Con 4!  You can find details on where to send donations on our forums.

* (8:14) Pre-con tourism and social events will begin the afternoon of Sunday, March 13th, 2011.  You can keep up with our location by PMing your cell phone number to ZeikeCopperEyes on the forums or following our Twitter feed.

* (10:48) Video game nostalgia.  Do old games still hold up, or was it just a matter of the playground being bigger when you’re young?  Whether it’s even possible to compare new and old games.  Also, the changing social dynamic brought about by newer match-making systems.

* (40:09) Changing roles from Game Master to player.  Using your GM skills to be the best player you can be while resisting the urge to take control or nitpick someone else’s GMing technique.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (2:26) The early numbers for Fear the Con 4 are shaping up quite nicely.  Dan is still trying to decide what he’ll run for his fourth game.  We still look forward to seeing all of you there!  Our forums contain threads for room sharing and ride sharing.

* (6:17) The movies, video games, TV shows, comics, and other geek things we’re looking forward to in 2011.

* (30:46) One-shot games within your regular gaming group (i.e. not run as a convention game).  Examining the opportunities, pitfalls, and some advice on picking the system and setting.

Hosts: Chad, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (2:59) Introducing Boots, the Pegasus I got from my Secret Santa on our forums.

* (5:43) Several Fear the Boot hosts have been guests on the new, improved, and re-imagined Kicked in the Dicebags.  It’s too many episodes for me to link individually, but you can find them all on their show feed.

* (8:11) Dan still dreams of a Muscle March tournament at Fear the Con.

* (9:27) Resolving conflict in an RPG without resorting to combat.  Tricks for avoiding combat when it doesn’t fit your character or the outcome you want.  When GMs seem to force combat as the only solution to a problem.

* (37:29) Deciding what to do with a character that has been reshaped by situations beyond your control.  Whether to keep, modify, or ditch a character that no longer feels like the one you created and wanted to play.

Hosts: Chad, Dan, Johann, Pat

* (2:07) If you’re interested in helping promote Fear the Con 4 around your town, we have two different fliers available here and here.

* (2:54) Fear the Con 4 will be the site for a regional tournament of the Ultimate Fighting System card game.  If you’re interested in joining, be sure to check the activity list for details!  You can also learn more about UFS or its rules on Jasco’s website.

* (5:16) Responding to Matt’s question about player interference.  How do you let players help each other when it’s appropriate without having them unfairly influence a situation or lock-up a new player with advice-overload?

* (17:04) When a player takes on the role of multiple characters.  Some thoughts on keeping the characters distinct, handling their interactions, and managing the paperwork.  The great opportunities it offers and the problems it can present.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (21:07) How to keep players caught up on a campaign when they have to miss some games.  Whether that’s best done by the other players or the GM.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (4:40) Be sure to get signed up for Fear the Con 4!  We look forward to seeing you all there.

* (5:09 If you’re looking to rejoin World of Warcraft as Cataclysm drops, you might want to check out the listener-sponsored guild.

* (5:51) Expounding on some useful ideas brought up by Hal in response to episode 211′s discussion on building dramatic tension.

* (18:51) Creating a real sense of temptation in a game.  Providing your players with choices that are difficult for purely personal reasons through moral quandaries, game mechanics, and occasionally breaking the fourth wall.

Hosts: Chris, Dan, Johann, John, Pat, Wayne

* (3:48) RPG Toolkit for the iPhone has just received a significant series of improvements and upgrades.  If you’re interested in checking that out, visit the app’s site for more information on the trial and paid versions.

* (6:05) Keeping movies, etc, accurate to their source material.  A discussion on when it’s appropriate and whether it’s necessary to telling the story right.

* (42:01) Rethinking our approach to interviewing new players.  Some new ideas on how to find out if someone is a good fit for your gaming group.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (5:18) Tracy makes an announcement about an unexpected work-in-progress.  I won’t spoil it for you, but it has nothing to do with dragons.  If you’re interested in Pat’s tangential comment, you can find a relevant article here.

* (16:48) Following up with Tracy on his foray into new media.  Seeing what portents his situation may have for the broader prose and RPG publishing industries.  Getting noticed — even as a well established author — in a saturated marketplace.  If you’re interested in the Dragon’s Bard holiday special, apply the discount code (feartheelf) when ordering at the holiday URL.

* (31:00) Building vibrant, interesting towns for your RPG setting.  You can check out Medieval Demographics Made Easy for some inspiration.  In case you’re wondering, you can find an explanation online of the Checkov’s Gun trope.

* (1:11:06) Tracy’s holiday board game.  You can find the free download or purchase a printed copy at Reindeer Gamer.  There’s also a short video trailer you can watch.

Hosts: Chad, Chris, Dan, Pat, Tracy, Wayne

* (2:11) A decent chance Chris will be returning to the show in the near future.

* (2:57) Chris Mais is looking for new hosts to help with a rebirthing of Kicked in the Dicebags.  If you’re interested in trying your hand at podcasting and shaping the future of that show, you can reach him at chris@kickedinthedicebags.com.  Also, thanks to Okeefe for the shirt!

* (5:27) Wayne wishes everyone doing NaNoWriMo well!  If you’re trying this out: stick with it and believe in what you’re doing.

* (6:55) Creating dramatic tension in a roleplaying game.  We present some ideas for building a visceral experience without overdoing it.

Hosts: Chad, Dan, Pat, Wayne

* (2:22) Separating a character from the player.   Why it’s natural — and sometimes correct — to draw your impressions about a person from the characters they play.

* (21:57) Playing in an established setting.  The balance of enjoying what’s already there versus making it your own.  How to deal with existing canon, particularly when it comes into conflict with the story or characters you want to use.

Hosts: Dan, Johann, Pat, Wayne

* (1:45) Wayne has passed the 20,000 word mark on his serial fiction over on the Skies of Glass site.

* (3:05) Providing examples of Dan’s GMing notes.  Check the Resources page for samples of the What’s Really Going On document, NPC reference, and two session outlines.

* (10:56) The issue of pacing within a game, as inspired by our own foibles.  For the sake of discussion, we break pacing down into two types: the immediate engagement of the player as opposed to the overall arc of storytelling.  We start by describing the first kind and offering some ideas for players and GMs to keep everyone engaged and deal with the moments when people have to get drawn away from the table.

* (28:49) The pacing of storytelling within a game.  Deciding how long a specific plot within the campaign should last, and the importance of the breaks that occur between those plots.  We outline some options available to Game Masters and thoughts on picking the right one.

Hosts: Dan, Pat, Wayne